Is there anyone with atrial fibrillation who hasn’t been told that coffee and caffeine can cause or trigger atrial fibrillation?
The first step to controlling atrial fibrillation, we’re often told, is to eliminate coffee. Because of this, coffee and caffeine are frequent topics on afib discussion forums.
But there’s interesting information about coffee at the Micronutrient Information Center of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
This fascinating site contains interesting facts, such as that unfiltered coffee can raise total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. In addition, coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver disease, and there is no evidence that it increases the risk of cancer. It can increase blood pressure, but most studies found no increased cardiovascular disease risk from moderate consumption.
What was most interesting, though, was the relationship of coffee and cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. According to the site,
“Clinical trials have not found coffee or caffeine intake equivalent to 5-6 cups/d to increase the frequency or severity of cardiac arrhythmias in healthy people or people with CHD. A large prospective study in the US that followed more than 128,000 people for 7 years found no association between coffee consumption and sudden cardiac death. More recently, two prospective studies in Scandinavia found no association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common supraventricular arrhythmia.”
So, according to this, coffee, even 5-6 cups per day, doesn’t play a role in developing atrial fibrillation or increasing the frequency or severity of arrhythmias.
When this topic comes up on a discussion forum, someone will inevitably say that they drink as much coffee they want as long as it’s organic or it’s decaf.
What has been your experience with coffee and afib? Does cutting out coffee or caffeine decrease or eliminate your atrial fibrillation? Or does it make it any difference at all?
How many of us grab some coffee when we’re stressed? Could it be stress, not coffee, that’s the culprit?
Marc,
Congratulations on figuring out what was driving your afib and getting rid of it. Many people never figure out what triggers their afib. Hope you stay afib-free forever.
Mellanie
You are wrong, just yesterday I drank 3 large cups of coffee, and by noon, my heart was pounding and I almost went unconscious several times. I was treated for A-fib in the hospital several times in the past and I know exactly what it feels like, I was way into it yesterday. I considered going to the hospital, but, I waited till the caffeine wore off to see what would happen and I was right, my heart rhythm went back to normal after a few hours. I’m sure the caffeine industry wont like anyone saying the truth about their product, but, someone has to. As for me, I’m quitting the stuff, I love coffee, but I prefer staying alive more. Steve C.
Steven,
I’m sorry that the caffeine is an issue for you. It is for some, and not for others. Please remember that everyone is different. With afib, we’re each an “experiment of one”.
Some folks find that they can drink organic coffee, but not non-organic, which indicates that for them it is the pesticides, not the caffeine, at issue.
Mellanie
Mellanie:
First, let me say, how excited I am to have found this site. I’m 43, in otherwise great health and just had my first episode of a-fib. And, the most frustrating thing is that I can’t seem to get a straight answer from anyone about anything related to a-fib: why it happened, whether it’s genetic (my dad has a-fib), what triggered it, whether I should be on beta-blockers or not, whether I should be on blood-thinners or not, and whether I can drink coffee (or alcohol).
I just had the episode 2 weeks ago and was successfully cardio-verted. At the hospital, they told me to give up caffeine and alcohol, so I did. I regularly drank 2 cups of black coffee a day, and as any regular coffee drinker will attest, those first 4-5 days of no caffeine made me feel much worse than the a-fib.
I’m past the caffeine withdrawal now, but I have to admit, I do miss having coffee. It’d be really nice if it’s true that caffeine doesn’t cause/trigger a-fib, so I thank you for your post. And, any other research you have on this topic, please do post/send as well.
Thanks so much.
Alex,
Thank you.
Some people are able to have organic coffee without problems, but others cannot, so it’s very individual.
Have you been through our “Get Started Learning About Afib Guide”? It is at http://bit.ly/9auGY2 and will give you answers for some of your questions. Regarding afib running in families – there is a genetic component and it does run in families, but sometimes it’s an environmental influence the whole family shared rather than being in the genes. Maybe the whole family was exposed to air pollution, chemicals, molds, or some other influence, maybe even items in the diet.
Good luck.
Mellanie
Hiya folks,
I’m HOT on the trail to identifying and treating the cause of MY A-Fib/Flutter, and, I am about to be really aggravated that my Cardiologist(S!!) didn’t suggest this in the first place.
two words, Alex……..sleep apnea
that’s it for me…I know that there are several possible causes but I don’t fit ANY other profile and my cardiologist MUST have known I might be suffering from a complication from Obstructive Sleep Disorder….
Alex, do yourself a favor and get to a sleep study also known as a ploysomnography.
It all adds up. When you have the obstructive sleep disorder you’re starving your body of oxygen for unhealthy periods while you sleep. After years of this unknown sleep condition negative consequences may become manifest.
I’m now using a Bi – Level Positive Air Pressure system when I sleep. It’s only been one week, but along with feeling more energy during the day, one of the results I expect is improvement with my Atrial problems.
Hi:
Maybe caffeine is not involve in afib, but if caffeine increase your stress level you can trigger an afib that is not associated with caffeine.
I’d like to explain how coffee DOES affect the heart. Irregardless of any studies or research proving coffee does not cause afib, there is something coffee does cause, and thats diuresis. Coffee is a diuretic, and it will pull water along with electrolytes out with urination. Electrolytes, especially potassium, help to maintain the hearts rythm. When your potassium drops even a hair below the normal range, it will cause all kinds of heart irregularities from mild to severe, including Afib. Add to that the fact that coffee is also a cardiac stimulant and you have a recipe for The Perfect Storm…even if your electrolytes are in the normal range but on the low end, it can trigger heart palpitations, afib, SVT’s, etc…the old saying still goes that too much of anything is bad for you, so beware of coffees ability to cause problems with the heart, because it can.
I am attempting to figure out my current A-fib problem. I was officially diagnosed with an “event” in 2004. I always knew I had A-fib but it would never show at the right time….doctor visit. Anyway, I am looking for any input regarding my current situation. Rapid heart rate – comes and goes. And of course never when I schedule a doctors visit. Symptoms. Tired all the time; no energy; recently my chest has had a dull ache, which comes and goes. I have cut out all alcohol which ususally was never more than 1 beer at most, but I do drink about 4 cups of coffee in the morning. My GP right now is no help as I never go into a-fib when I am monitored. Thanks for any suggestions.
I HAVE HAD A-FIB FOR YEARS AND ALL THE TIME I WAS TAKING DROPS FOR MY GLAUCOMA. MY WIFE READ THE WARNINGS FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS AND ONE OF THE MAIN ONES WAS IRREGULAR HEART RYTHEM. ALL THIS TIME WE NEVER PAID ANY ATTENTION TO THE PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. I CALLED MY DOCTOR AND HE INSTANTLY CHANGED MY RX. I WENT FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR A-FIB FREE. NOW BEGINNING THIS YEAR I HAVE STARTED UP AGAIN. LIKE CLOCK WORK ONCE A MONTH AROUND THE 23rd. SOMETIMES FOR ONLY ONE DAY AND SOMETIMES UP TO FOUR DAYS. WHEN I GO INTO A-FIB THE ONLY WAY I KNOW IS THAT I GET INDIGESTION AND I AM VERY TIRED AND I JUST DO NOT FEEL GOOD. I DO HAVE SLEEP APNEA AND USE A CPAP MACHINE.
Jimmy,
Thanks for sharing this about the eye drops. Do your current afib episodes start during the day or night?
You might want to join in the discussion on our forum: http://forum.stopafib.org (Instructions for registering & getting started are here: http://forum.stopafib.org/index.php?showforum=25)
Mellanie
Milton,
I’m sorry about your afib. What time of day does your afib start? Could there be clues there as to something that might help?
Mellanie
These clinical trials must have been conducted with people who are not sensitive to coffee! It most definitely gives me AF, the more I drink the more I get it, but just one cup will give an effect.
Hi,
I am writing this from South Africa, where I stay.
I have had irregular heart beats for awhile now but never had it diagnosed by a Doctor.
What I have found is that a tooth infection will bring it on. I have had numerous tooth infections in the past and with it my heart would beat irregulary until it was fixed then my heart would return to normal again.
Recently, however, I have noticed that after even having one cup of filter coffee during the day my heart will beat irregularly, and this can go on for hours!
So, I do not agree with the foundings of the clinical trials.
And reading the messages from the posting here, I suggest new trials be done!
Thank you for this platform! Its great!
Thank you for all these comments. I just had my first experience with A-fib and had to have cardioversion and the coffee issue is front and center for me. I love my coffee and cannot handle the fact our days together may be numbered.
I had one cup the morning after my “event”. Nothing happened. rhythm remained even and steady. Same thing this morning. I am walking on eggshells about this so thanks for your imput!
I was diagnosed with atrial fib 1 1/2 years ago after starting to have heart palpitations after even one cup of coffee and then even when I didn’t have coffee. I have cut out chocolate and caffeinated soda and coffee since that time. However, EVERY time I have even one cup of regular coffee, a small glass of caffeinated soda, etc. I have palpitations and get dizzy. I will take an extra beta blocker and within 15-20 minutes I am fine again. I’ve decided it just isn’t worth the risk.
hello melanie.i am on coumadin for the past 19 years,and yes,i am a member of the club one of the most selective members who frequents the lab for inr check ,weekly or biweekly visits,i eliminated grapefruits,leafy vegies,bananas,no coffee or/and caffeein in my diet,and thank god i dont regret it,it is a small price to pay for living.yes,it is quite a stuggle but i learnt to live with it,and i dont plan to change my best pal coumadin to a new one,we do live harmoniously,peacefully and learnt to respect each other respectfully.
when and if my current cardiologist will decide to drop the coumadin to a newer version i will fire him on the spot.
sincerely
My AFib started while my wife was out of town and I was home along. I only drink one or two cups of coffee a day and I always have about 20% milk in it. When my AFib started I had just finished a large orange sherbet 7-up float. IT reverted back o its own after about 6 hours, I thought it was just flutter and went to sleep without any further thought of it. I had a heart attack in 2004 so I have a regular Cardiologist. He says the AFib is due to the heart attack, which was caused by a clot which was caused by an NSAID that I had been taking for 4 years on and off. The next time I had a sherbet float, about three weeks later, the Afib hit again. This time I had an event monitor so I hooked it up, transmitted and they told me to go to the ER. Which I did and they gave me a stronger beta blocker than I was already on and a blood thinner. After 2 hours I reverted. Anyway I have had a few sessions all brought on by stress and they all only lasted a minute or two at the most. I drank a Mocha Coffee a week ago and man did it make my heart pound, but I never went to AFib. So I have 2 cups of coffee a day, I average about 4 alcoholic drinks a week and over the last 3 months I have had only the few short episodes I mentioned. I don’t comment normally on sites like this, but it is good to hear all of your thoughts about our situation.
I am sick and tired of not being taken seriously as to what I am positive is causing my bouts of a-fib. I’ve had a total of 5 episodes now, one when I was 20, and 5 this year (age 34) and the only thing common to all 5 episodes is NOT caffeine.
The first episode happened while drinking a shake with a caffeine boost from Jamba Juice after an intense workout.
The second happened in April of this year. I have (up until recently) been an extremely heavy caffeine user in the form of a minimum of 2 liters of soda every day, usually Mt. Dew or Dr. Pepper, both high in caffeine content. In April I was going through a stressfull move and had had three 2 liter bottles of soda, then at about midnight I drank a chocolate milkshake and with the first sip began experiencing heart flutters.
The Third time is the first time I went to the hospital about it and found out that these episodes were a-fib. Again, I had had a 2 liter bottle of soda earlier in the day, then went to a party that afternoon and had about 8 bottles of beer. Once I was home, around 2 in the morning, I made myself another shake, and with the first sip, as I felt the cold liquid going down my throat, just as it hit my chest, I got the flutters again.
Since then I’ve cut caffeine from my diet and been put on Metoprolol and have had 2 more (short) episodes, BOTH when drinking a fluid significantly colder than my core temperature. (a slushie from an AM/PM and a very cold glass of grape juice) My doctor, and the cardiologist both chuckled when I said that I thought it was being caused by significantly cold fluids. They both said that it’s more likely that I have been cheating and drinking caffeinated beverages.
I was recently diagnosed with afib. I had symptoms on and off for about 2 years. Every time I would tell my G.P. they would do an EKG and all would be normal. I was finally put on an event monitor.I was just about to give up on th event monitor, when I just went to be and my heart went into afib. I drink regular coffee, in the morning. Probably mor that I should, but the afib occurred, at night long after any coffee was long gone from my system. A stress test was ordered. Just as I completed the test and sat down to rest, my heart went into afib. My cardiologist was able to revert my heart back with medication. ( note no coffee this day ) Xray error showed a 70 percent blockage. A cardiac cath proceedure with not blockage at all. Has anyone gone through that for no reason at all? So my question is. if it is coffe related why did it happen when I first went to bed? If I have sleep apnea ( never been tested ) why would it happen when I first went to bed? If your up all day and moving then there is no restrictions. I am now on a medication called multaq. Any info on this medication, good, bad or other wise would be helpful
Jim,
Is it possible that it was related to dehydration? Or could it have been due to just having eaten before bedtime (common from irritation of the vagus nerve)?
Regarding Multaq, we recently did a two-part analysis of what we have learned in the first two years since approval – see the links below:
What Do We Know About Multaq (dronedarone) for Atrial Fibrillation
Experts Argue the Pros and Cons of Multaq (dronedarone) as a Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
Mellanie
Chuck,
You’re hardly the first person to mention cold drinks as a trigger. It sounds like your doctors aren’t listening to their patients, or maybe you’re the first to mention this. But to claim you’ve been cheating and drinking caffeine seems kind of insulting. Sounds like what you most need is new doctors who will work with you to sort this all out.
Caffeine and alcohol seem to be the standard “excuses” doctors use as the causes or triggers of afib. However, often it’s not the caffeine in coffee, but instead is pesticides or the fact that coffee can dehydrate you. And alcohol triggering afib can often be due to dehydration, too.
You mention workout and sodas – both can also dehydrate you. And some people mention sugar and corn syrup, both in various sodas, as triggers. So, you may be sensitive to other things besides caffeine.
Mellanie
Sheila,
Are you staying fully hydrated? Coffee and sodas can dehydrate you and dehydration may be the trigger, not the coffee and soda.
Mellanie
About coffee…I have persistent A Fib and coffee for me is a definite NO. It really makes all of the pounding, skipping and jumping much worse. I had cardioversion in 2009 and was good until this last summer, almost 2 years, so I will be trying it again this month. Those of you who have A Fib that comes and goes should consider yourselves lucky. Imagine having it day after day after day.
Gail,
A lot of folks have difficulty with coffee, though some of them have found that they can have organic, but not non-organic, coffee with no afib issues. But it sounds like it’s best for you to stay away from it.
Some folks who have afib all the time say it’s so much better than having it come and go, and never knowing when the afib beast will strike. We’re all different in how afib affects us.
Mellanie
I AMGOING TO HAVE CARDIOVERSION ON 12TH. OF JAN.2012 IHAVE BEEN DIAGNOSTE WITH AFIB JUST RECENTLY. I DO DRINK COFFEE, SOMETIMES 3OR4 CUPS A DAY.IHAVE LOST MY YOUNGEST SON AND MY WIFE OF 63 YRS. ALL WITH IN LESS THN TWO YEARS.I THINK MY AF. IS THE RESULT OF STRESS.THAT IS THE TIME MY AF. BECAME ABOUT. 2 YEARS AGO MY HEART WAS VERY GOOD,I WILL BE TURNING 85 THE 18TH. OF THIS MONTH
I have had 2 episodes (that I know of) in the past nine years. The most recent was about 4 months ago. It came out of the blue as I was climbing the stairs. That was the same scenario the first time it happened, 9 years ago. At that time I was on too many asthma meds and I think that is what caused it, (I don’t take asthma meds anymore). I have never had a cup of coffee in my life and the only caffeine I have is when I eat chocolate, which is about 4 or 5 times a week. I am on 3 different blood pressure meds (one is a beta blocker) and my BP is pretty much under control, though when I got to the hospital during the last A-fib episode my BP was extremely high. I’m a 64 year old female, 50 lbs overweight and have controlled sleep apnea. It is very frustrating to have this problem looming overhead, because you never know when the next episode can happen. The only thing that they found the last time was that my potassium was very low. I’m taking Pradaxa now, but it is killing my stomach and I’m not happy about being on a blood thinner. When I was younger, I had many episodes of tachycardia, but I was always in normal sinus rhythm. I don’t know about family history, but I think my dad seemed to have some kind of heart rhythm problem. He died when I was 18, so I don’t remember too much. Also, I have had two cardiac caths during the last few years and both were perfectly normal. I’m really baffled as to why there isn’t a better way for doctors to figure this problem out. I feel like a walking time bomb and it’s scary. Anyone else taking Pradaxa?
I submitted a comment on 1/12/12. Any response would be appreciated.
Thanks
Lorraine,
Sorry for the delay in replying. I was gone to the Boston AF Symposium medical conference, then a think tank in DC, and then my father-in-law passed away, all within a week. So it’s been crazy.
As a 64-year old female, you definitely should be on a blood thinner (per the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system). Have you tried Coumdain or warfarin, since the Pradaxa is causing problems? Or maybe Xarelto?
Afib is a real puzzle because we don’t even know what causes it.
Mellanie